Means for lifting crucibles from furnaces.



No.V 7|4,804. Patented Dec. 2, |902.

' y D.LAIRD.

M EANS FOR LIFTING CRUCIBLES FROM FURNACES.

(Appucion mea sept. 24, 1961.;

(Nu Model.)

Hm @Mul Q "un"I No. 714,804. Patented Dec. 2 |902.

- D. LAIRD.

- 'MEANS FDR LIFTING CRUCIBLES FROM FURNACES.

. l mppncasion med gaps. 24. 1901.) (NQ I lndel.) u 3 Sheets-Sheet 3..

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UNITED STATES- PATENT OEEICE.

DAVID LAIRD, OF FORFAR, SCOTLAND.

MEANS FOR LIFTING CRUCIBLES FROM FURNACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,804, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed September 24.1901. Serial No. 76,326. (No model.)

` out the contents into ingot-molds or the like.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure lV represents a smelting-furnace in elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a side View of the appliance for removing and emptying the crucible and replacing the same on the pedestal or hearth of the furnace. Fig. 3 is a frontview ofthe same, the handles being broken E for want of space. Fig. 4 is a plan view thereof on a smaller scale, showing the handles. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detail views. I

In the type of smelting-furnace shown in y Fig. l of the drawings the crucible a, con- Vby standards c. `rests upon the hearth and carries a remov,

taining the ore and flux, stands upon a circular hearth or pedestalb, which is supported The body of the furnace d able cover e. The hearth is formed with radial recesses o and is bored with a central vertical hole f, so that in case of accidental breakage of the crucible o, the slag and molten metal will run into a receiver g, disposed below the pedestal b.

y Thefurnace illustrated in Fig.` l is heated by means of a burner h, generating a fiame of oil and air under pressure, or it might be gas and air.

`.As stated, my invention relates to a ready means for removing, handling, and replacing the crucible a. When the metal in the crucible a is ready for pouring out,the body al and4 cover e of the furnace are removed, leaving the crucible exposed upon the pedestal b. For removing the crucible I have devised the is also provided with lifting-handles Z Z, one

of which is straight and the other shaped, as shown in the plan view Fig. lfto assist in tilting the cradle. I form the top of the pedestal b with a horizontal recess or groove m, s-o that when the body and cover of the furnace have been removed the foot may be slid along the recess m, so as to bring it below the crucible a, as shown in Fig. 3. By means of the handles the crucible can then be raised, resting on the foot c', and be removed from the pedestal, the cradle being tilted back to allow the crucible to rest against the curved ribs j. When tilting the crucible to pour out the contents, the turned-in portions n of the uprights 7o .act as stops to prevent the crucible from sliding out of the cradle. y l

The method of removing the body d of the furnace is shown in the diagrams Figs. 5, 6, and 7. The body d (shown in plan view in Fig. 7) is provided at intervals with hooks o, one of which is shown on side view in Fig. 6. At the required time the rings 1o, carried by chains g, (see Fig. 5,) are placed around the hooks. The chains q are carried by a ring fr, and by means of the hook s of any suitable hoisting-tackle the bodyd may be lifted up to enable the crucible a to be removed.

I declare that what I claim is- A cradle for lifting crucibles consisting of a foot 1) to pass under the crucible, a curved band connected with the foot for embracing the side of the crucible and uprights 7c k having hooked ends'to engage the top edge of the crucible in pouring, said cradle having handles, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID LAIRD, 

